SERIE A
Rome, Oct 6: Christian Pulisic had been making all the right moves for AC Milan this season.
Until Sunday.A missed penalty kick by the American standout proved costly as Milan was held to a 0-0 draw at Juventus in Serie A to end a five-match winning streak for the revamped Rossoneri.
Pulisic leads Milan with six goals scored this season – plus two assists – but his attempt from the spot early in the second half soared high over the bar.It was only the second time in Pulisic’s professional career that he failed to convert a penalty, after Torino goalkeeper Sergej Milinkovic-Savic blocked his effort last season. His record is now 13 converted and two missed for club and country.Pulisic continued to press forward after his miss, and provided an accurate pass for Rafael Leão toward the far post late in the second half. But the winger’s shot also went wide.
“Pulisic missed the penalty but he had an extraordinary game,” Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said.
Pulisic will now join the U.S. national team for friendlies against Ecuador and Australia as he prepares for a home World Cup next year.Milan dropped from first to third place, two points behind defending champion Napoli and Roma – which each won earlier.Napoli came back from a goal down to beat Genoa 2-1 and Roma also rallied for a 2-1 victory at winless Fiorentina.Juventus was left a point further back in fifth entering the international break.Pulisic’s United States teammate Weston McKennie wasted a few chances early on for Juventus.
Otherwise there were few other opportunities for both sides as Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri returned to face the club he coached in two different spells and led to five Italian league titles.
Allegri was fired by Juventus for an ugly outburst directed at the referees during the 2024 Italian Cup final.“We’ll always be proud of you, thanks for everything Max Allegri,” read a banner held aloft by Juventus fans.
The penalty was awarded when Santiago Gimenez was tugged down from behind by Lloyd Kelly as he attempted to meet a vertical pass from Luka Modric.
Milan nearly won it in the 90th with a through ball from Modric to Leão but the Portugal winger’s shot was stopped by Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio.Earlier, Leão attempted a shot from near midfield when he saw Di Gregorio venture away from his goal but that effort missed the target.
Gasperini picks up from RanieriGian Piero Gasperini is picking up right where Claudio Ranieri left off at Roma.The Giallorossi were virtually unbeatable during the second half of last season under Ranieri and now have five wins in their opening six matches under Gasperini.(AP)
